Press Release
Support for New Aquaculture Development
The Council have supported the development of a state-of-the-art 100% water recirculation hatchery facility at Girlsta. The site is being refurbished and extensively upgraded by its owners, Hjaltland Hatcheries Ltd., with the first production of smolts expected in 2013.
Hjaltland Hatcheries Ltd. is a subsidiary of Hjaltland Seafarms Ltd. and the project will result in improved traceability, control over the quality of the product and stability in supply to meet customer requirements.
The Development Committee approved a grant of £314,735, representing a member state contribution to lever in European Fisheries Fund and Highlands & Islands Enterprise grants, yesterday. The total project costs is in excess of £3.7 million with Council support towards the infrastructure, construction, services, groundworks, feed systems and recirculation equipment costs.
It is proposed that the hatchery will produce around 3 million smolts per annum, which will help meet around 50% of Hjaltland Seafarms demand. The project will allow the Hjaltland Group to create a fully vertically integrated business. It will create sustainability and security for the future of its farms, processing, sales and marketing operations.
Since 2004 the Hjaltland Group has invested £27 million in developing its Shetland based factory and farms. In addition, the Group has paid £21m in wages over the same period.
Managing director of Hjaltland Seafarms Ltd, Michael Stark, said: “We very much appreciate Shetland Islands Council’s support for this project.
“Introducing the hatchery to our existing business is an important development, strengthening our operation, creating 7 new and securing the existing 185 to 198 jobs.
“This provides the final link in the chain for the complete vertical integration of our business from inception to finished product on supermarket shelves.
“The introduction of the hatchery helps us control supply and maintain the quality of our product and, of course, grow customer confidence. We are proud to be in a position to retail our own-brand Shetland salmon and believe that the customer response and many accolades that the WildWaters range has already received demonstrates that it is a brand that is creating real impact – not only for the company but for Shetland as a whole.”
Josie Simpson, Chair of Shetland Islands Council Development Committee said: “The project will allow the Hjaltland Group to grow its Shetland based company which will positively impact on the Shetland economy. In addition this grant will lever in significant funds from other sources to enable the project to go ahead.”